Building a DIY Ski Boot Dryer: Tips and Advice?
Asked by SkiLover92
Hey everyone! I'm gearing up for the ski season and want to create a DIY boot dryer for my ski shoes. I've got some aluminum and PVC pipes lying around and I'm thinking about using a USB port to power a computer fan along with a small heating pad for each shoe. Here's the plan: I have two heating pads rated at 8W @ 5V (which means they'll draw 4W each), and the fans are rated at 1.4W @ 5V. If I connect both heating pads in parallel, that would total about 1.6 Amps. If I add two fans in parallel, that bumps it up to 2.19 Amps, so I need to be careful about which USB source I use. But if I connect the heating pads in series, could I still safely add the fans in parallel with less draw on the USB socket? Lastly, is it safe to continuously draw 2.2 Amps from a modern phone charger for a few hours each night?
Answers
Honestly, heat might not be necessary. Just good airflow overnight could do the trick. I’d recommend sticking with PVC rather than aluminum for the dryer; it’s lightweight and won’t get deformed by heat, which could be a concern if you were to use heating elements. You really want to be cautious about maintaining the shape of your boot dryer.
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WackyWinterWizard: I get where you're coming from, but I struggled drying my boots last season. A little warmth can help the air pick up moisture better. Plus, most boot dryers out there use heat, so I thought it could be a smart move. Also, what’s the deal with PVC over aluminum? I thought aluminum would hold up better against heat.